Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in West Lafayette, IN: $72,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in West Lafayette, IN earns a median $72,795/year (≈ $35.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in West Lafayette's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $79,732 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Lafayette, Indiana, the compensation landscape for occupational therapy assistants is shaped significantly by the settings in which they work. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $72,795, which is slightly below the national median of $74,332. Salary ranges from $54,843 at the 10th percentile to as high as $89,936 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market that includes skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. Local salary estimates derived from 2025 BLS data highlight how economic factors, including a lower cost of living index of 91.3, can influence take-home pay for those in this profession. As the healthcare environment continues to evolve post-Medicare cuts, understanding these dynamics is crucial for both current and aspiring occupational therapy assistants in West Lafayette.
About the West Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,843 | $26.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,564 | $30.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,795 | $35.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,187 | $38.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,936 | $43.24 |
Median Salary Position
2.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Lafayette
In West Lafayette, IN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,093 (2026 est.). At $72,795, the local median is 2.07% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How West Lafayette Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
West Lafayette median: $72,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,660 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.07% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Lafayette, IN earn a median of $72,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.07% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.50% above the Indiana state average of $69,660.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Lafayette has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $72,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,732 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,238
2025 BLS Actual
$70,805
2026 Current Est.
$72,795
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,238 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,639 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,454 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,921 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,624 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,536 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,840 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Lafayette metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,238 (2019) to $70,805 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,840 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,602 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Lafayette metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,843 – $63,564 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,564 – $72,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,795 – $80,187 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,187 – $89,936 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in West Lafayette
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in West Lafayette is relatively small, with only eight positions currently available. The cost of living here, being below the national average, creates a unique situation for compensation. Employers providing services in outpatient clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offer more competitive salaries than those in skilled nursing facilities. The dynamics of pay disparities arise from several factors, including work expectations and contract types, such as those offering year-round versus school-year employment. The 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursement for OTA services also restricts potential earnings, pressing the need for COTAs to seek roles that offer better pay conditions. For individuals entering this field, pursuing contracts in settings that align with higher pay rates, and considering further education pathways like the COTA-to-MOT bridge, can enhance earning potential local to West Lafayette, IN.
More salary data for West Lafayette, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in West Lafayette, IN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in West Lafayette?
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How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in West Lafayette?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $70,805 for occupational therapy assistantsin the West Lafayette metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for West Lafayette is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov